Jacksonville, Florida — Many wireless microphone users in the metro Jacksonville area are getting static and they are not to happy about it.  "Florida Sound has received numerous service calls stating that the customer's wireless microphone was working great one day and the next day it was just noise." said Robert Cole, President of Florida Sound.  Once technicians were dispatched to various churches that had placed service calls, a pattern was seen developing.  Kenny Niblick, a senior service technician with Florida Sound, said "It became obvious that something was being broadcast and affecting only VHF wireless mics in the 192 to 198 megahertz range."  Mr. Niblick used a spectrum analyzer, which visually shows frequency modulation or activity, and verified that something new was now on the airwaves in Jacksonville.  What could it be?

Research
After some careful research with Shure Brothers, a wireless microphone manufacturer, it was determined that the local ABC channel 25 was now being broadcast in HDTV.  Also known as high definition television.  They use a separate carrier for the DTV broadcast and they, according to the FCC, are approved to use VHF channel 10.  "A lot of VHF wireless microphones use that frequency in Jacksonville because up to this point that channel has been free." Cole said. "That does not seem fair" stated one Music Minster for a local church.  "I was using that frequency first."   The FCC does not require a license for wireless microphone usage and therefore the 'I was using first' principle does not apply.  That answer does not bring warm smiles from church Pastors who rely on these microphones, which allow them to be more mobile on stage.

Solutions
"There are two solutions," said Mr. Cole "ship the unit back to the factory and have the frequency changed, or purchase a new UHF wireless microphone."  The cost of having the factory change the frequency for you can cost anywhere from $120 to around $250, not including shipping.  "A large unexpected expense, especially since it could just as easily be another frequency tomorrow." stated Mr. Cole.  Yes, that is true.  If you pay out the money to change the frequency of your existing VHF wireless, you run the risk of another local station starting an HDTV broadcast.  Therefore Mr. Cole recommends replacing your existing unit with an UHF wireless microphone system.  "We have been recommending a replacement unit in the UHF range that is frequency agile and can be adjusted by the customer" said Mr. Cole.  "That way if something new 'pops up' on the frequency the customer is currently using, they can simply select a new frequency via the front panel."  "They [UHF Wireless] sound great!" said Steve Hamby, a service technician with Florida Sound.  "It is a big improvement over the older VHF units."

Cost
What is the cost of a new UHF frequency agile system?  "That can vary by vendor" said Mr. Cole.  "We are installing a number of the new Shure ULXS series.  The handhelds installed are around $825 and the lavalier is around $860."  If you want to install them yourself,  don't forget the rack ears for mounting in an equipment rack.  They run about $30 and you can deduct $75 for the installation / setup charge if you do it yourself.

Note: Static on wireless microphones can be caused by other factors also.  Please call Florida Sound to discuss any problems you may be encountering.

by staff writer:  Mike Henry